Friday, March 20, 2015

1.4 Billion Chinese and Seven Americans—How a 123 Agreement Will Keep Them Together

1.4 Billion Chinese and Seven Americans—How a 123 Agreement Will Keep Them Together

  • Continued cooperation with China advances multiple U.S. interests
  • A lapsed 123 agreement could spell disaster for U.S. supply chain
  • Vulcan Metal Products and its specialized toolmaking would be one casualty


http://www.nei.org/News-Media/News/News-Archives/1-4-Billion-Chinese-and-Seven-Americans%E2%80%94How-a-123

Areva studies Chinese investment

Areva studies Chinese investment
Paris (XNA) Mar 17, 2015 - French state-controlled nuclear group Areva was studying a possibility to get investments from China as part of restructuring plan aimed at reversing heavy loss, a local newspaper reported on Monday. "Concerned about the regulations on state aid which would limit the contribution of public funds, Areva explores the conditions for entry into the capital of foreign investors, mainly Chinese, ... morehttp://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Areva_studies_Chinese_investment_999.html

South Africa Rebuffs US Attempts to Take Over its Nuclear Materials

South Africa Rebuffs US Attempts to Take Over its Nuclear Materials
Moscow (Sputnik) Mar 17, 2015 - South Africa has enough nuclear fuel for about six bombs - each of them would wipe out Washington, DC, or large sections of New York City. After apartheid officially ended with the 1994 election of Nelson Mandela as president, South Africa started extracting the uranium from the apartheid government's cache of nuclear weapons. Some of that has been used to make medical isotopes, but close to 485 ... morehttp://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/South_Africa_Rebuffs_US_Attempts_to_Take_Over_its_Nuclear_Materials_999.html

States look at policies to prod along small modular nuclear reactors


States look at policies to prod along small modular nuclear reactors
Westinghouse nuclear reactor criticisms unfounded
Criticisms voiced about the new Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear reactor by an industry critic are completely unfounded, writes Rod Adams. Arnie Gundersen, who has not worked in the nuclear energy industry for over 25 years, claims that the AP1000 reactor is subject to dangerous leaks, despite the reactor having passed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's strict licensing review process. Adams notes that unlike the Chernobyl reactor that Gundersen uses as a comparison, the AP1000 doesn't have a positive void coefficient and can cool itself for several days, even without power or off-site cooling water. Atomic Insights blog
https://www.snl.com/Interactivex/article.aspx?CdId=A-31714829-12077

Taiwan reprocessing tender suspended

Taiwan reprocessing tender suspended
A tender for overseas reprocessing of Taiwanese used nuclear fuel has been suspended, pending a parliamentary budget review, only one month after it was announced.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/WR-Taiwan-reprocessing-tender-suspended-2003151.html

Amano highlights Africa's importance to IAEA

Amano highlights Africa's importance to IAEA
Supporting Africa is a "high priority" for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Vienna-based organisation's director general, Yukiya Amano, said yesterday in his opening address at the Nuclear Africa 2015 conference held in Pelindaba, South Africa.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-Amano-highlights-Africas-importance-to-IAEA-19031501.html

Obama tells Iran to grasp 'historic' chance

Obama tells Iran to grasp 'historic' chance

The countdown ends on March 31, where the two sides have to agree to the outlines of an agreement that would see Iran scale back its nuclear program in return for relief from sanctions


http://www.rappler.com/world/regions/us-canada/87436-obama-iran-grasp-historic-chance

The winter-safe deterrence debate, biological weapons, effects of a nuclear detonation above Manhattan, and more

 
 
Friday, March 20, 2015
 
 
Dear Readers: Seth Baum's suggestion that non-contagious bioweapons could replace nuclear weapons as a deterrent and help to avoid a global nuclear winter generated considerable debate. We've started a roundtable to hear various viewpoints. In this issue, Gregory D. Koblentz and Gigi Kwik Gronvall share their opinions on winter-safe deterrence.

The sobering aftermath of a nuclear warhead detonation over Manhattan, outlined in a multimedia presentation that we posted three weeks ago, continues to attract strong traffic to the website, as does the interactive Nuclear Notebook. We will release a new interactive feature next week that shows some of the considerations that drive the Doomsday Clock decisions--so stay tuned.
 
As always, I welcome your feedback.
 
John Mecklin, Editor
 
 
GREGORY D. KOBLENTZ
Although biological and nuclear weapons are both considered weapons of mass destruction, biological weapons differ from nuclear weapons in three important ways that undermine the utility of biological weapons for deterrence: uncertainty of effects, availability of defenses, and the need for secrecy and surprise.
 
GIGI KWIK GRONVALL
Biological weapons development is within the technical capability of most countries, so a revocation of the bioweapons ban could lead to a rapid proliferation of highly dangerous weapons.
 
SETH BAUM
The biggest danger posed by today’s large nuclear arsenals is nuclear winter.
 
Voices of Tomorrow and the Leonard M. Rieser Award
 
In its Voices of Tomorrow feature, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists invites graduate students, undergraduates, and high school scholars to submit essays, opinion pieces, and multimedia presentations addressing at least one of the Bulletin's core issues: nuclear weapons, nuclear energy, climate change, biosecurity, and threats from emerging technologies.
 
Editors will select one Voices of Tomorrow feature each year as winner of the Leonard M. Rieser Award; the author will receive a $1,000 check plus travel and accommodation expenses to attend the Bulletin’s subsequent Doomsday Clock symposium and dinner.
 

Japan Aims to End Nuclear Power Ban in June


Japan Aims to End Nuclear Power Ban in June
Moscow (Sputnik) Mar 20, 2015 - A reactor in Japan cleared another regulatory hurdle Wednesday, marking progress toward the country's return to nuclear power after all units were shut down for safety checks following the 2011 Fukushima atomic disaster. The Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) said a reactor at a Kyushu Electric Power Co. plant had received approval for construction works upgrading the unit's basic design t ... morehttp://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Japan_Aims_to_End_Nuclear_Power_Ban_in_June_999.html


Japan to Restart Nuclear Reactor in June, First Since Fukushima Disaster
Moscow (Sputnik) Mar 20, 2015 - In March 2011 Japan shut down all its 48 nuclear reactor following the meltdown of Fukushima nuclear plant caused by an earthquake and tsunami. The incident was the biggest of a kind since the 1986 Chernobyl catastrophe. The nuclear regulator approved the plan of construction works that Kyushu Electric Power, the plant's operating company, should conduct to make the reactor meet new safety ... more http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Japan_to_Restart_Nuclear_Reactor_in_June_First_Since_Fukushima_Disaster_999.html

Past warming increased snowfall on Antarctica, affecting global sea level


Past warming increased snowfall on Antarctica, affecting global sea level
Corvallis OR (SPX) Mar 20, 2015 - A new study confirms that snowfall in Antarctica will increase significantly as the planet warms, offsetting future sea level rise from other sources - but the effect will not be nearly as strong as many scientists previously anticipated because of other, physical processes. That means that many computer models may be underestimating the amount and rate of sea level rise if they had projec ... morehttp://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Past_warming_increased_snowfall_on_Antarctica_affecting_global_sea_level_999.html

US says deal would bar Iran nuclear bomb 'in perpetuity'

US says deal would bar Iran nuclear bomb 'in perpetuity'
Washington (AFP) March 19, 2015 - The Obama administration insisted before skeptical lawmakers Thursday that any deal with Iran would ensure for "perpetuity" that it could not develop nuclear weapons. A comprehensive accord would also see "phased, proportionate" relief from tough sanctions that have severely constrained Iran's economy, but such relief could be swiftly reversed should the Islamic republic violate any final de ... morehttp://www.spacewar.com/reports/US_says_deal_would_bar_Iran_nuclear_bomb_in_perpetuity_999.html

Cyber essentials – essential for the UK nuclear industry?

Cyber essentials – essential for the UK nuclear industry?

Senior Project Manager at FC Business Intelligence
Dear Member,

Cyber-crime costs the UK £27billion every year and with an ever increasing movement towards online business this is set to rise dramatically. This is no different in the nuclear industry with the NDA receiving nearly 30,000 cyber-attacks every day!

Nuclear Energy Insider spoke to some of the leading figures in the nuclear and cyber-security industries to find out more about how nuclear cyber security strategy is changing the landscape for new nuclear

Take a look at the full nuclear cyber security report here: http://bit.ly/cyber_essentials

Download the report and you will:
• Receive insight into the latest cyber-security initiatives implemented within the UK nuclear industry so you can develop a security culture across all levels of your business
• Understand the principles of the cyber essentials scheme so you can ensure your sensitive and commercial information is secure throughout your supply chain
• Recognise the current threats to all those within the nuclear industry so you can understand how your business could be affected in an ever more interconnected industry
Enjoy the report and let me know if you have any questions

Kind regards,

Mike

Michael Vickery
Senior Project Manager
Nuclear Energy Insider
mvickery@nuclearenergyinsider.com
+44 (0) 207 375 7177

ANS Member Webinar - New Nuclear Export Regulations

ANS Brief
Exclusive Webinar - For ANS Members Only
New Nuclear Export Regulations
 
10 CFR Part 810 and You: A Discussion with Senior DOE/NNSA Officials
Thursday, March 26, 12:00-1:00 p.m. (ET)
 
Richard S. Goorevich, Director of the Office of International Regimes and Agreements in the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Agency (NNSA), and Katie Strangis, NNSA Senior Policy Advisor, will participate in a webinar exclusively for ANS members to answer questions about the 10 CFR 810 rule: Assistance to Foreign Atomic Energy Activities.
 
The webinar will be moderated by Art Wharton, member of the ANS Public Policy Committee, with Craig Piercy, ANS Washington Representative. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions during the one-hour program.
 
This free webinar is a follow-up to the exclusive Q&A posted on the ANS Nuclear Cafe to provide members with the opportunity to discuss the new rule directly with NNSA’s top leaders.
 

Obama Signs Order to Cut Gov GHG Emissions and Boost Renewable Energy

Obama Signs Order to Cut Gov GHG Emissions and Boost Renewable Energy

By Jared Anderson
Obama Nominates New Energy Secretary, New EPA Administrator
Today President Obama singed an executive order regarding federal government energy targets, he toured a solar panel installation on the Department of Energy’s roof and gave some brief remarks before kicking off a roundtable with large US companies that do over $1 billion in business with the federal government. These companies are all making significant

Changes In Northeast Natural Gas Demands Challenge Pipeline Proposals

Changes In Northeast Natural Gas Demands Challenge Pipeline Proposals

By Enerknol Reseach
OPAL Pipeline To Connect To Baltic Sea
Innovative Plans Optimize Excess Pipeline Capacity during Spring and Fall Seasons Northeast natural gas demand is not consistent year-round. This challenges pipeline project developers to prove project necessity. However, developers are proposing enhancements to existing systems and innovative strategies to make use of potentially excess pipeline capacity. Some proposed options to optimize excess supply and

Energy And Infrastructure Companies Aren’t Waiting For The FAA’s New Drone Rules

Energy And Infrastructure Companies Aren’t Waiting For The FAA’s New Drone Rules

By Thomas Dougherty, II | Lewis Roca Rothgerber
Drone Photography Raises Questions About Privacy And Safety
With a little over one month to go in the comment period on the FAA’s proposed rules for the Operation and Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and facing the prospect of at least another year before those rules become final, many energy and infrastructure companies are moving forward with their small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) plans under the FAA’s existing rules.http://breakingenergy.com/2015/03/19/energy-and-infrastructure-companies-arent-waiting-for-the-faas-new-drone-rules/?utm_source=Breaking+Energy&utm_campaign=a5e24d0bfa-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f852427a4b-a5e24d0bfa-407304281

F.D. unit #1 Muon imaging shows full meltdown


The blow link is Tepco's Press handout concerning the preliminary Muon imaging results for Fukushima Daiichi unit #1. It indicates a full core meltdown relocation. The #2 detection instrument shows something dense remaining in the (former) core barrel. Some of Japan's Press is jumping to the "melt-through" (i.e. loss of RPV integrity) conclusion, but I don't think Tepco is sure about it from what is in the handout.

http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/nu/fukushima-np/handouts/2015/images/handouts_150319_01-e.pdf

WATER


WATER

Our Thirsty Planet
A continued “business as usual" approach to water will lead to a "collapse in our global socioeconomic system," Richard Connor, lead author of the ** UN’s World Water Development Report (http://jhsph.us3.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=0a43ad874dbe00d8f0545cfef&id=6762b787f0&e=9c1fcebfa3)
told Thomson Reuters Foundation.

In just 15 years, the planet faces a 40% shortfall in water supplies with urbanization, population growth, and rising demand for water resources for food production, energy, and other industries.

Better management and investment are needed to stem the crisis. For developing countries, investing $15-30 billion in improved water resources management in developing countries could have an annual income return of $60 billion, the report suggests. One reason: People with access to clean water are healthier, and enjoy better education and employment prospects.

Ahead of ** World Water Day (http://jhsph.us3.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=0a43ad874dbe00d8f0545cfef&id=8b359f0f57&e=9c1fcebfa3)
, this Sunday March 22, the Thomson Reuters Foundation showcases this story along with ** other recent articles (http://jhsph.us3.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=0a43ad874dbe00d8f0545cfef&id=336dd5084b&e=9c1fcebfa3)
—featuring water woes in Kenya, Brazil, Pakistan, and more.
** Thomson Reuters Foundation (http://jhsph.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0a43ad874dbe00d8f0545cfef&id=9efa6e2cfb&e=9c1fcebfa3)

Cyber essentials – essential for the UK nuclear industry?

Dear Member,

Cyber-crime costs the UK £27billion every year and with an ever increasing movement towards online business this is set to rise dramatically. This is no different in the nuclear industry with the NDA receiving nearly 30,000 cyber-attacks every day!

Nuclear Energy Insider spoke to some of the leading figures in the nuclear and cyber-security industries to find out more about how nuclear cyber security strategy is changing the landscape for new nuclear

Take a look at the full nuclear cyber security report here: http://bit.ly/cyber_essentials

Download the report and you will:
• Receive insight into the latest cyber-security initiatives implemented within the UK nuclear industry so you can develop a security culture across all levels of your business
• Understand the principles of the cyber essentials scheme so you can ensure your sensitive and commercial information is secure throughout your supply chain
• Recognise the current threats to all those within the nuclear industry so you can understand how your business could be affected in an ever more interconnected industry
Enjoy the report and let me know if you have any questions

Kind regards,

Mike

Michael Vickery
Senior Project Manager
Nuclear Energy Insider
mvickery@nuclearenergyinsider.com
+44 (0) 207 375 7177

Fukushima Update 3/19/15

Fukushima Update 3/19/15

A man has lived in the F. Daiichi “no-go” zone for more than two years… All fish caught outside F. Daiichi’s port continue to be safe for consumption… Sixty percent of Fukushima Prefecture believes Japan is forgetting the nuke accident… Five idled Japanese nuclear units will be decommissioned… Nursing homes should shelter the elderly during a nuke accident… There’s a new antinuclear booklet on Fukushima evacuees… Completion of the F. Daiichi “ice-wall” is further delayed… The Sendai nuke restarts move a step closer.

http://www.hiroshimasyndrome.com/fukushima-accident-updates.html

First global review on the status, future of Arctic marine mammals


First global review on the status, future of Arctic marine mammals
Seattle WA (SPX) Mar 19, 2015 - For Arctic marine mammals, the future is especially uncertain. Loss of sea ice and warming temperatures are shifting already fragile Northern ecosystems. The precarious state of those mammals is underscored in a multinational study led by a University of Washington scientist, published this week in Conservation Biology, assessing the status of all circumpolar species and subpopulations of Arctic ... morehttp://www.spacedaily.com/reports/First_global_review_on_the_status_future_of_Arctic_marine_mammals_999.html

How Russia Views The Iran Nuclear Talks

By Anna Borshchevskaya
G20 Leaders Meet In St. Petersburg For The Summit
As negotiations intensify this month, Moscow will continue pursuing its own agenda. Diplomats from Iran and the P5+1 nations — the United States, Russia, Britain, China, France, and Germany — are rushing to conclude a nuclear agreement before the self-imposed March 24 deadline. While many details remain unavailable, the technical debate largely centers around the

Energy Quote of the Day: ‘Laurence Tribe Arguing Against Clean Power Plan’

Energy Quote of the Day: ‘Laurence Tribe Arguing Against Clean Power Plan’

By Edward Dodge
Congress Reconvenes After Midterm Elections
  Influential constitutional scholar Laurence Tribe is arguing against the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan. Tribe, who once represented Al Gore, is scheduled to be a witness before the GOP controlled Energy and Commerce committee hearing. “Burning the Constitution should not become part of our national energy policy,” Tribe writes in his prepared testimony, in

How Microgrids Work

How Microgrids Work

By Allison Lantero | U.S. Department of Energy
NREL Microgrid testing
WHAT IS A MICROGRID? A microgrid is a local energy grid with control capability, which means it can disconnect from the traditional grid and operate autonomously. HOW DOES A MICROGRID WORK? To understand how a microgrid works, you first have to understand how the grid works. The grid connects homes, businesses and other buildings to